Spiritual Cultivation and Movement
If I already experience spirit movement, do I need another awakening ritual?
English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.
If your own original spirit is already moving, our concept of awakening does not require another opening ritual. Awakening means opening spirituality and connecting with the original spirit. Already entering that condition is different from not yet beginning.
A listener had been told by another teacher that awakening was incomplete and therefore assumed another rite was necessary. In my understanding, awakened and not awakened are distinct. Interpreting “failed awakening” as not yet awakened may come closer to what we mean. Existing connection does not need repeated rituals to become complete.
The listener said others understood the spiritual language only after a second awakening. I proposed one possibility: the first may not have been original-spirit awakening, but outside-spirit involvement, and the second might even involve a different outside spirit. Discernment was still needed. A message exchange did not let me know the actual earlier circumstances, so I could not give a definite judgment. Others not understanding the language proves neither failure nor a conclusion about other teachers.
Crying, expressing grievances and then feeling bodily relief also cannot alone establish original spirit or suitability of energy. In that same reply I noted that deities present, a place’s energy or even outside spirits could bring comfort. Beginners still need learning, teacher observation and willingness to hear reminders rather than chase strong feelings.
Some places do ask divine blessings to open spirituality. Sheng Zhen Men instead tends to follow each person’s condition. Forcing unstable energy into immediate expression is not necessarily good. Like a young child not yet steady standing, future dancing talent does not make forced dancing timely now.
Which deities have affinity and who the spiritual patron is require gradual experience. Spirit movement and knowing these connections differ. Sometimes divination and divine questions cannot clarify them then. Understand your condition and questions before continuing, without rushing to collect every answer at once.
Many students gradually felt awakening through life experiences, setbacks and opportunities, rather than my performing a ritual for each. Connection may develop through practice without a special rite. This is our experience, not a mandatory ritual gate for every person.